Murray: Hawks can't keep falling behind
Troy Murray, who spent 12 years of his 15-year career with the Blackhawks and now is the team's color analyst on WGN 720-AM, offers his perspective on the Blackhawks-Flames series
Q: The Blackhawks came from behind again for a victory in Game 2. Are they tempting fate here?
Murray: Absolutely. You know the one luxury they're not going to have when they go up to Calgary is an opportunity to get back into the game using the energy that they had at the UC. You're really going to run into some trouble on the road if you get behind. You can't keep getting behind and expect to come back. In the long run if you keep falling behind, more often than not you're not going to be able to make that push like they have the last two games.
Q: What should the Blackhawks expect to run into at the Saddledome?
Murray: I guarantee you because of all the hype that was made about how loud the united Center was, it's going to be extremely loud - even louder than it normally is during the playoffs - because they're going to want to show everybody that the fans in Calgary can be just as loud and energetic as the United Center. It's going to be alive and a great atmosphere.
Q: How about the play of Patrick Sharp?
Murray: I think the longer Game 1 went along he got stronger and Joel Quenneville started using him in more situations and had the opportunity to switch up the lines and put him with Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane. There's a confidence factor in coming back on how well you're going to come off that (knee) injury and how well you're going to feel and how you'll adjust. On those goals in Game 2, when you have those opportunities, a guy like Patrick Sharp, a guy like Toews will capitalize where a role player might have bobbled the puck. Those are the type of players that make the difference.
Q: Who was the unsung hero on Saturday?
Murray: If there was an unsung hero I'd say it was the group of role players on the Hawks that met the challenge physically of what Calgary was trying to do.
Q: What is the key for a Hawks victory in Game 3?
Murray: If Calgary is going to be physical again, you have to expect there is going to be some opportunities on the power play for the Blackhawks. On the road, especially, the power play has to be successful because that might be the chance you have to equalize what's going on in the game. That's something that Detroit does so well. The Blackhawks are going to have to take advantage of the power play when they're on the road.
• Mike Spellman interviews Troy Murray before each playoff game. Murray is in his sixth season as color analyst for Blackhawks radio broadcasts on WGN 720-AM.